Job DescriptionI. Job SummaryThe Sr Legal Counsel - Renewable Energy Transactions position will primarily support the commercial activity of the Company's renewable energy group. As one of the fastest growing groups within the Company, this role focuses on transactional work supporting complex commercial transactions, energy commodity trading and marketing activities, as well as regulatory compliance support.
We are seeking a candidate with strong transactional experience, preferably with prior experience supporting marketing/trading activity at an energy company or in the energy transactions practice group of a large or mid-sized law firm. Such candidate would have a working knowledge of the operational aspects of the natural gas business, including interstate and intrastate pipelines, as well as the power/electricity business and commodity trading. In addition, specific experience and expertise in the renewables industry, as well as relevant regulatory experience (EPA, FERC, CFTC, DOE, State PUC's and ISO/RTOs), is a plus. Familiarity and engagement with a commercial focus within environmental commodity markets (such as RNG, RINs, LCFS credits, and RECs) is also desirable.
The ideal candidate will be self-motivated to lead deals independently to completion and will often handle several transactions at any one time. The individual should be open to being a strong and proactive business partner to an active, growing and fast-paced group within the Company.
The Sr Legal Counsel will report directly to the Assistant General Counsel - Recycling & Sustainability. This position is based in Houston, Texas.
II. Essential Skills, Duties and Responsibilities- Provide day-to-day legal support and advice to the Company's commodity traders, marketers, schedulers, and others located in the Houston, Texas office.
- Draft and negotiate a variety of customized and industry-standard agreements related to the purchase and sale of energy commodities. Such agreements may include power purchase agreements, gas offtake contracts (including NAESBs), marketing agreements for renewable credits or environmental attributes (including LEAP Agreements), energy management agreements, broker agreements, non-disclosure agreements, among others.
- Draft and negotiate agreements relating to the marketing and trading of commodities (including NAESBs, ISDAs, EEIs, bespoke long-term agreements, asset management agreements, etc.), as well as credit support documents (annexes and master netting agreements).
- Negotiate and manage interstate/intrastate transportation and storage agreements and related issues (e.g., precedent agreements, OBAs, interconnect agreements, capacity releases, etc.).
- Provide proactive legal and practical business advice to internal clients.
- Engage, collaborate, and build strategic business relationships with numerous departments and functions within the Company to work efficiently and effectively while providing a high-level of service to business partners.
These duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.
III. Supervisory ResponsibilitiesThis job does not have supervisory duties but may occasionally act as a team lead. However, the individual will generally work with other team members, including the Renewable Energy Contracts team, and with other in-house attorneys. This individual must be able to perform legal functions independently.
IV. QualificationsThe requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications necessary to perform the job.
A. Education and Experience
Required:
- Juris Doctorate and 8 (eight) or more years of previous experience.
- Large or mid-sized law firm experience in an energy transactions focused group and/or in-house experience at an energy company.
Required Experience: The following experience areas are required.
- Natural Gas - experience with gas purchase/sale agreements, NAESBs, transportation agreements, and offtake contracts
- Power - experience with power purchase agreements, renewable energy credits, wholesale power markets, interconnection agreements, and utility contracts
- Energy Trading - experience with ISDAs and related contracts, as well as exchange-traded derivatives
Preferred Experience: The following experience areas are a plus, but not required.
- Regulatory (EPA, FERC, CFTC, ISO/RTOs, State PUCs) - experience with regulatory filings, compliance programs, or enforcement matters
- Experience working with electric and gas utilities and their tariffs
- Experience with power plant assets and their role within ISOs/RTOs
- Environmental Commodities - experience with RIN markets, LCFS credits, carbon markets, or emissions trading programs
B. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations or Other Requirements
- State Bar Licensure, Texas preferred.
C. Other Knowledge, Skills or Abilities Required
- Ability to distill complex regulatory and commercial concepts for non-legal stakeholders; strong negotiation skills for high-value, time-sensitive transactions; comfort working in fast-paced, entrepreneurial business environments.
V. Work EnvironmentListed below are key points regarding environmental demands and work environment of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Normal setting for this job is: office setting and subject to compliance with Company's policies that may change from time to time.
VI. BenefitsAt WM, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short-term disability. In addition, we offer a stock purchase plan, company matching on a 401(k), and more. Employees also receive paid vacation, holidays, and personal days. Please note that benefits may vary by site.
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